The Apprentice 2016: Paul Sullivan fired after answering back to Lord Sugar in heated boardroom exchange

Through the 2016 series of The Apprentice, candidate Paul Sullivan has been called out for his hot-headed nature – and it reached fruition in the latest task.

The marketing agency owner took on the Project Manager role, putting on a casino event at Madame Tussauds.

The 38 year-old argued frequently during the challenge to put on a London event – and even answered Lord Sugar back in the boardroom.

Commenting on Sullivan’s decision to demote Jessica Cunningham as his sub-team manager, Lord Sugar asked: “So her relegation, or demotion, wasn’t anything to do with her performance, is that what you’re saying? You expect me to believe that?”

The Apprentice 2016 - who's been fired?

The Apprentice 2016 - who's been fired?

1/14
Who's been fired?

Need a quick catch up on The Apprentice? Here are the candidates who have been fired so far

BBC

2/14
Week Ten: Trishna Thakrar

A boozy gin-making task saw Trishna slip up and miss out on a place in the interviews round

BBC/PA

3/14
Week Nine: Dillon St.Paul

The luck of the Irish ran out on the Virtual Reality task - though Dillon was fired "with regret"

BBC/PA

4/14
Week Nine: Sofiane Khelfa

After Dillon was fired, Sofiane thought he was safe - until Lord Sugar sent him packing in the second double firing of the series

BBC/PA

5/14
Week Eight: Paul Sullivan

Hot-tempered Paul was fired on the events task - and even answered back to Lord Sugar in the boardroom

BBC/PA

6/14
Week Seven: Samuel Boateng

In the first double firing of the series, Samuel Boateng left after struggling to sell boat products

BBC/PA

7/14
Week Seven: Karthik Nagesan

Outspoken Karthik was fired instantly by Lord Sugar when his team lost the boat show task by over £40,000

BBC/PA

8/14
Week Six: Rebecca Jeffery

Rebecca Jeffery said she was fired because she's "not a t***" as she left the show

BBC/PA

9/14
Week Five: JD O'Brien

JD was branded a "nice guy" by Lord Sugar as he was sent home from the process

BBC

10/14
Week Four: Mukai Noiri

Fashion-conscious Mukai slipped up during a task selling handbags at Liberty

BBC

11/14
Week Four: Aleksandra King

Aleksandra stunned her team by walking out at the start of the task, saying: "I'm just not enjoying it"

12/14
Week Three: Oliver Nohl-Oser

Sausage manufacturer Oliver was fired as losing Project Manager on a task creating and selling sweets

BBC

13/14
Week Two: Natalie Hughes

The second task saw both teams lose, with Lord Sugar furious over their disastrous performance - but it was Natalie who was eventually fired

BBC

14/14
Week One: Michelle Niziol

The first casualty of the boardroom was Michelle, who took on the Project Manager role in the opening task

BBC

In response, Sullivan said: “If you don’t want to believe it, don’t believe it, alright? Look, take it how you want to take it, I’m going to argue my point.”

While Sullivan’s fellow candidates looked stunned, Lord Sugar said: “I’m taking it as I’m taking it. I want to know why you demoted [Jessica] on the second day.”

It wasn’t the only time Sullivan bubbled over in the task. A lack of clarity in pricing strategy meant his pricey tickets were sold to some guests with the promise of hot food – which wasn’t actually included in the cost.

When some guests complained that they would have to pay more, he rowed with Cunningham in front of all their guests.

The Apprentice 2016: Paul kicks off at Jessica in blazing row over casino ticket sales in event task

“I need you to explain what’s gone on,” Paul said heatedly at Jessica. “Everyone’s saying that you sold them a ticket and you told them they were getting hot meals with their tickets.”

Read more

“Jessica, I have to think about whether you are a potential winner of this process,” he said. “I haven’t seen enough so far to tell me that, but I think I’ve seen enough in the case of you Paul to say, you’re fired!”